Government Briefs 05.10.12

Issue $1.7 Million in Bonds
With a unanimous vote last Thursday, the East Hampton Town Board authorized the issuance of almost $1.7 million in bonds to cover the costs of a variety of capital projects. After postponing the adoption of a capital budget until prior financial accounting problems were ironed out, the board drafted a three-year capital plan this year.
Among the projects for which bonds can now be issued are the construction of a sump to prevent flooding on Sulky Circle in East Hampton, for $150,000; a first phase of improvements to pilings at the town dock at Star Island in Montauk, for $190,000; $320,000 worth of repairs to the town’s sanitation building, and the purchase of several pieces of equipment for the Highway Department. Councilman Peter Van Scoyoc, the liaison to that department, said that Stephen Lynch, the highway superintendent, had helped the town save a substantial amount of money by finding pieces of surplus equipment to buy.

Southampton Town

Water Quality Forum
The Southampton Town Sustainability Advisory Committee will host a forum on water quality on Tuesday, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Hampton Bays High School auditorium. Titled “Septic Triple Play: Save Money, Save Our Bays, and Protect Your Health,” the event will be moderated by Scott Carlin, the committee’s education chairman. Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst has urged the public to attend the meeting, at which she will give an update on local efforts. Also taking part are representatives of the Long Island Liquid Waste Association, Bill Chaleff, who is an East Hampton architect interested in sustainable design, and Walter Hilbert of the Suffolk Department of Health. There will be opportunities for public discussion. For more information, the Southampton Office of Energy and Sustainability can be e-mailed at lplouff@southamptontonwnny.gov.

New York State

Library Grants to Jermain, Rogers
The John Jermain Memorial Library in Sag Harbor and the Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton have received New York State public library construction grants, according to Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr.
John Jermain has been awarded $157,023 to help restore the 101-year old library and double its square footage. Rogers Memorial has been awarded $45,713 to construct a utility building to store library supplies and provide additional workshop space. The money is part of $14 million budgeted by the state for public library construction.
According to a release from Mr. Thiele, a recent survey showed a need for public library construction and renovation projects totaling more than $2.53 billion nationwide. Many of New York’s public libraries are unable to accommodate users with disabilities, are not energy efficient, and cannot provide public access computers, Internet service, and other electronic technologies because of outdated electrical wiring. Many also do not have sufficient space to house collections or hold meetings.